LibDem Blogs - Archived! - Wednesday 26th March 2008

Why is Northern Rock the FSA's fault

I am mystified by today's media consensus that it is the Financial Services Authority that is to blame for the debacle at Northern Rock. This Times leader is a good example: The Financial Services Authority gets full marks for frankness, but nothing else. The regulator of the banking industry is there to safeguard the interests of customers and the integrity of the financial system. For all its boast of light-touch regulation in principle, the FSA appears to have taken a lackadaisical approach in practice. The findings of its internal inquiry into the demise of Northern Rock could not be any ...

So what is Hillary Clinton's guy actually doing

I have just looked at the Evening Standard website, looking to see what is happening in the Mayor campaign. Doesn't really have much on Brian Paddick. Which beggars the question.. what is Elton John paying for this supposedly top notch Hillary Clinton campaigner for

Sex, the media & personal freedom

I realised I condensed a few thoughts in a very short piece in my post Sexy, so here are a few more thoughts. Dignity: my main objection to the perpetual portrayal of people, mostly women, as sexual objects is that people are deprived of their humanity. Im fed up with seeing mainstream media trashing our human dignity. Our imagination and psyche are being desensitised to the humanity of those

Local government waste

Some wonderful stories in today's newspapers about waste in local government. First, Essex County Council has spent a staggering £62,000 for eight Councillors and five Council Officers to visit Jamestown, Virginia to celebrate the 400th anniversary of English settlement. All travelled business class. According to a Council spokeswoman, many of the original settlers came from Essex. Under that logic, they could sneak a trip to almost anywhere on the rates. Lord Hanningfield, Tory Leader of the Council and one of the visiting party, defended the decision on the grounds that the trip helped build trade links between Essex and Virginia. ...

Liberal Youth launches

Liberal Youth rose last night from the ashes of LDYS and by all accounts it was a great success. Andy Mayer has singled out myself and Alex Wilcock as pre-eminent examples of all that was wrong with the previous regime. Fair enough - I never claimed to be a hip young thing even when I could be described as young. If that’s how I’m fondly remembered, that probably explains why, despite being LDYS’ longest serving sabbatical officer, I wasn’t invited to their relaunch. Not sure my record of success at creating vibrant youth organisations is any worse than Andy’s - ...

A rather different Nick Clegg interview

Nick Clegg was recently interviewed for BBC News School Report by young people from Banbury School. They asked him a range of penetrating questions covering politics, children, currency and his top team. Click here to view the video report.

My favourite house window in all London town

{My favourite house window in all London Town} What you see there are: * A Back Boris (Johnson for Mayor) poster * A remembrance day poppy * An empty can of Pilchards Who can say why

Jack Dromey.....Government Stooge

Jack Dromey, husband of Harriet, treasurer (I know nothing) of the Labour Party, Deputy General Secretary of Unite..........champion of the masses, scourge of Gordon Brown...........er.....don't think so! I was interested to hear this evening that he is being touted as a potential chair of the planned Government's Agency Worker's Commission. Hmmmmm the body opposed by the Trade Union movement for the very simple reason, why do you need a commission into something that is blatantly wrong It's a bit like having a commission to decide whether we should approve child labour, or slavery. The implication being that it might be ...

PMQs: Nick tackles Gordon on home repossessions

Both Nick Clegg and David Cameron tackled Gordon Brown on the consequences of the credit crunch for the economy. The Tory leader focused on the regulatory failures which allowed Northern Rock to become such a mess; the Lib Dem leader tackled the Prime Minister on home repossessions and the current boom and bust in the [...]

Has Labour hit that motorway cones hotline moment

Every outgoing Government reaches that point when it becomes obvious, including to the Governments own supporters that it has run out of ideas and purpose. For the Major Government, the announcement of the motorway cones hotline seemed to be that defining moment when the reforming party of the 1980s that had introduced monetary stability, tackled the unions and privatised the utilities had been reduced to little more than a pernickety, old fusspot. Yesterday, Gordon Brown launched Labours local government campaign. At the heart of the new policy programme was a commitment to publicise the mobile phone numbers of community support ...

Spring has almost sprung

Spring is almost with us, judging by a stroll at Wapley Bushes over Easter: {bluebells} The first bluebells are just emerging... {primroses} A few primroses... {celandines} And lesser celandines on the woodland floor Read more about Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve here.

On a tropical island far far away

In December I visited an island called Anjouan which I reckon must be the remotest part of the planet I have so far visited. Tucked away in the Indian Ocean, it has only 2,000 visitors a year. Anjouan is part of the Comorro Islands which were granted independence from France in 1975 (one island, Mayotte, which I also visited, decided to stay French). Since independence, the Comorros have

Cardinal "Frankenstein" Keith

Remind me again, was it not Frankenstein's monster that was brought to life with jolts of electricity So, is giving Cardinal O'Brien a pacemaker not "an unprecedented attack on the sanctity and dignity of human life" after all... BBC NEWS | Scotland | Cardinal O'Brien gets pacemaker: The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has had a pacemaker fitted following recent heart problems. Cardinal Keith O'Brien was fitted with the device under local anaesthetic at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The 70-year-old, who suffers from a heart murmur, had experienced dizzy spells in recent weeks and fainted prior to Palm ...

Linda Jack on Nicks first 100 days

Before we knew who was to be our new leader I rashly penned a piece on what I thought he should do in his first 100 days. Having been asked to reflect on how I think he has done, I went back to elements of my original musings. Having taken a military perspective, I suggested that [...]

Paddick doubles lead in PinkNews poll

Results of the latest poll from PinkNews are out, with Brian Paddick coming out the winner again. Interestingly, his margin of victory has doubled since the previous poll they conducted. Vote shares in this online poll were: Brian Paddick 48% of first preferences (+11%) Ken Livingstone 32% (-6%) Boris Johnson 13% (no change) Others 7% (-5%) After transfers of second preferences Brian won [...]

Gordon Brown's worse enemy

Brown does occasionally do something right and which sets him apart from Blair. I am thinking of the Bevin boys medal presentation yesterday and the cancellation of "Blair Force One" today. Both principled moves. It's a shame he messes everything up by starting off by asking for a whip for the embryology bill. Doh ! It's obvious you have a free vote on embryology. Why on earth did he start the

Compliment of the Day

According to Ministry of Truth I am "normally fairly sensible". Cheers!

Clegg calls for MPs expenses to be published

From a party news release: The Liberal Democrats have today written to the Commons Speaker asking when the detailed breakdown of MPs expenses will now be published. Commenting Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg, said: “There are legitimate grounds for appealing the decision to publish private addresses. However, there is no earthly reason why the rest of the information [...]

Im a mad scientist apparently

PR Media blog says so, so it must be true (Leaving aside the slightly odd pop re. Steve Webb, yes it’s true - Jerome and his firm are helping the campaign which, as he’s one of the leading internet campaigners in the US, is pretty good news!)

Cozy Sarkosy

I heard President Sarkozy’s speech this afternoon. It sounded like an appeal to be loved. He said all the right things, pressed all the right buttons, but where was the Ros Bif He c...

Why do we hold the old Liberal Party in such high esteem

Many Liberal Democrats quote wisdom from the Liberals. In the Introduction of the Orange Book Paul Marshall reflects on the Liberals. When we refer to the Liberal Party and the 19th Century there seems to be a feeling of 'the good times'. But I'm not convinced that's the whole truth. I'm sure you all know how the Liberals formed, they came about from the Whigs and Radicals. The Gladstonian era is known for Classic Liberalism. It saw the Liberals (who were reformists) wanting to decrease the powers of the monarchy and church of England and increase reform in voting. None ...

David Montgomery - wolf in sheeps clothing

Wednesday morning meant, once again, a meeting of the House of Lords Communications Select Committee taking yet more evidence for our inquiry into media ownership and the news. We are coming to the close of our evidence taking, and I wasn't too convinced that hearing from David Montgomery was going to add to the sum total of our knowledge. I was wrong. As Chairman of the Mecom Group, he oversees extensive regional newspaper operations all over Europe, including Norway, Netherlands, Poland and the Ukraine and so had some considerable insights into the way in which newspapers operate in Europe. In ...

PMQs

Jonathan Calder on Liberal England noted in his blog how David Cameron failed in his questions on the economy, with Gordon Brown fighting back with good quotes. A few things got me about what David Cameron said at PMQs. He accused Brown of dithering, which is correct, he says the Government should of taken firm actions which is correct. Of course the correct firm action to be taken was what Vince Cable had been saying all along about Nationalisation and took the Government ages to eventually go along that path. The tories only suggestions were ones that would simply destroy ...

What does Tata buying Jaguar and Land Rover mean for the UK

Tata has bought Jaguar and Land Rover of Ford for £1.15bn. Tata seems to be quite an exciting company with it's development of the $2,500(£1,250) car which is sure to make India's congestion a whole lot worse (however many Indian families will safer rather than clinging to mope heads). Staff and trade unions have supported the deal. So it seems Tata doing this is all good for UK jobs and economy. But I don't fully understand these things myself. Do you think it's good

Let the Afghans deal with the Taliban

Considering Iraq was invaded in 2003 and Afghanistan 2001, but we've nearly left Iraq being replaced with a new Iraqi army we helped make, what about the Afghan Army "An influential Afghan minister has called on the West to allow local communities in Afghanistan to take over the fight against the Taleban." BBC In Canada the Conservative minority Government had to compromise with the Liberal opposition in order to keep Canadian troops (who are in violent areas and suffered much) in Afghanistan by saying they will start to train the Afghan Army up to eventually replace the Canadians. The Afghan ...

Middle East Divided over Lebanon

Lebanon has been in political deadlock over choosing a President since November. Saudi Arabia and Egypt being pro-Western support the pro-Western Lebanese Government. Syria and Iran support the pro-Syrian opposition. Each side in Lebanon accuses the other of blocking the appointment. It's caused the Saudi King and the Egyptian President to say they won't attend the Arab League conference in Syria. They haven't fully boycotted it though, which the Lebanese Government has. I don't expect that will help anything. I don't expect the Bush Administration would ask them to go to the conference as they prefer isolationism rather than talking ...

Carla curtseys courteously. correct

Here's an interesting aside to the visit of the French president. When they met the Windsors, Mrs Sarkozy, Carla Bruni, curtseyed to them. That is surely unnecessary as she is effectively their equal as the wife to the French head of state. If this was appropriate, shouldn't Prince Philip have bowed to Sarko Which kind of makes you realise that the French revolution may not have achieved all it aimed to.

Independence referendum - our policy is wrong

It is my sincerely held belief that our policy of denying the question of Independence on a referendum on Scotland's future is totally wrong and completely unjustified. This policy, to the best of my knowledge, has never been decided by the sovereign body of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, party conference. Sometimes I feel that the Democrats word in our party name is undervalued. The referendum should consist of four questions: 1. Return to Westminster only government 2. Status quo 3. Increased powers for Scottish Parliament 4. Independence Being a Federalist I would vote for option three and I believe that ...

Government Must Change Policy on Service Families

Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey has welcomed the news that the Canadian wife of a British soldier has been allowed to remain in Britain. Samantha Crozier had been told she would have to leave the UK where she lives with her husband and two children to reapply for residency as a spouse when her temporary visa runs out next month. Commenting, Nick Harvey, who has been campaigning on the issue, said: I am obviously delighted by the news that Samantha can stay in Britain. However, despite this welcome decision, this problem is by no means over, there are ...

Ice shelf hangs by a thread

A chunk of ice the size of the Isle of Man is breaking away in Antarctica. It's in the Wilkins Ice Shelf which was stable for many years until it started to retreat in the early 90s. A professor predicted in 1993 the shelf would be completely gone in 30years if warming continued. It's happened a lot quicker than he predicted like everything when it comes to Climate Change. We are seeing some of the most incredible warnings, the EU has shown the humanitarian disasters that would happen. Yet still what are our leaders actually doing As Gordon Brown likes ...

US Ship shot annoying Egyptian traders

Ever wonder why the World hates America. I don't I read the news. A US cargo ship contracted to the US Navy shot an Egyptian traders boat in the Suez Canal. One person was killed in the incident. Lots of little boats annoy ships trying to sell them things. The Ship was approached by these on entering the Suez Canal a US embassy statement excused it saying, "It appears that an Egyptian in the boat was killed by one of the warning shots." Was killed by a warning shot! What kind of warning shot was that! One the accidentally hit ...

on leadership elections

In 2005 I predicted that the outsider David Cameron would win the Conservative leadership election, weeks before most commentators and his now famour speech at the Conservative party conference and he did. In 2006 I predicted that Ming Campbell would win the Lib Dem leadership election and he did. In 2007 I predicted that Nick Clegg would win the Lib Dem leadership election, while most people branded him as Cameron-lite and likely to lose, and he did. now in 2008, I predict that Barack Obama will win the Democratic Presidentatial nomination, watch this space...

What's the difference between Labour in opposition and Labour in government

Back in 1994 I was agent for the Liberal Democrats in what was termed an "unwinnable" by-election for the vacant Tory seat of Reedham on Broadland District Council. The Lib Dems did actually win, but Labour ran some effective campaigns, particularly the rolling petition they were doing to save rural post offices. Yes, "Only Labour can be relied upon to save local Post Offices" was their bold claim, and this message found a resonance with the electorate that we only overcame be finding a more important issue (Labour didn't really that people had fresh water shrimps coming out of their ...

PMQs show David Cameron's weakness

I had the chance to watch prime minister's questions on television today. David Cameron chose to devote all six of his questions to the state of the economy, but he did not shine. His problem was twofold. The first is that he is clearly not a master of the economics brief. His questions were wordy and Gordon Brown was armed with some good quotes to answer him. Whatever the rights and wrongs of Cameron's case over the Financial Services Agency, you have to score the contest to Brown. David Cameron's second problem is that he is, er, David Cameron. The ...

List of election irregularities keeps going on and on

This is going out of control. My list of allegations on the way to Parliamentary and Presidential polls in Zimbabwe keeps increasing. Now State media is not allowing opposition adverts. Here is a list of irregularities: Surplus ballot papers printed Presidential votes counted centrally Tens of thousands of "ghost voters" Police allowed inside polling stations More polling stations in rural areas State media bias Food aid only given to Zanu-PF supporters Chiefs used to campaign for Zanu-PF It seems that overthrowing Mugabe through these polls will now take an absolute miracle. If the polls were going to be free and ...

Arrogant Trump Chump

Who the f**k does George Sorial think he is trying to tell us how we should run a public inquiry The cheeky git has been reported in the press as saying that the inquiry "must be quick to save money". No George, you are so utterly wrong - the inquiry should take as long as it needs to establish the TRUTH of the matter. Aren't you in agreement with that idea or are you simply hoping for a whitewash The pre-inquiry hearing commences in Aberdeen today and the full inquiry is expected to begin in June.

The bird theme :-)

In the bird theme this is one of the more interesting pubs around - at the bottom of West End Lane - it's near (3-400 yards) from the junction with Kilburn high Road on Kilburn Vale. I have no experience of the pub being open, though clearly it has been open in recent times - but it's a great location and I think dead good that the occupier has kept the facade and all the features. - especially the pub sign.

Chavez and Mercosur

The Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, has been here in North East Brazil for a couple of days, glad-handing the locals. He took many people by surprise by declaring that Venezuela is now almost a member of Mercosur (Mercosul in Portuguese), the main Latin American regional organisation. Formal membership will depend on the agreement of the core [...]

Agencies plee for Somalia

"Forty humanitarian agencies have warned of an impending catastrophe in Somalia unless urgent action is taken." BBC. Here are how they sum up Somalia: 2m rely on daily aid More than 1m internally displaced 20,000 flee Mogadishu each month (that's the capital had a population of 1million, but over 300,000 have left) Average monthly family income of those left in Mogadishu: $12.13 Life expectancy: 47 Problems: Fighting, high food prices, hyperinflation, drought I've done a few other posts on Somalia, which has had civil war since 1991 (I was born in 1992, think about that). Currently Somalia faces an Islamic ...

Day2639: "A Lie that Lurks in the Appeal"

Sunday: This is what the Cardinal Arch-Bigot of Westminster has to say: "Atheistic secularism ultimately diminishes us; it kills the human spirit under the pretence of liberating it." "It says that this is all we are, this is it! We have no significant purpose; we're merely chance products of material processes." Quite simply, this is NOT TRUE. It is CHILD'S PLAY to reverse the accusation: "We have no significant purpose because omnipotent Mr God has already decided it for us; we're merely chance products of the WHIM of a supernatural creator." Does this get us any nearer the "TRUTH" No! ...

Clinton "Misspoke": Conjugating verbs

Following on from her Tuzla tale, Monica Lewinsky substitute Hillary Clinton has admitted that she “misspoke” about the level of danger she was exposed to on a 1996 visit to Bosnia. Some cynical individuals might say that Mrs Clinton in fact lied about her visit, falsely exaggerating the level of danger in Bosnia to make herself [...]

On Post Offices and filibuster

Well, I'm back into normal mode again, starting with Full Council last night. It was all rather odd, although it began well with everyone united against the closure of six Post Offices in the Borough. Lots of people seems to have been collecting petitions and two large ones were presented by Sean Duggan (Editor of the Surrey Comet) and Susan Kramer MP - with getting on for 5000...

Sky high calling

News today that the UK regulator Ofcom has approved the use of mobile phones on British registered aircraft when they reach an altitude of 3000 feet. bang goes peace and quiet in the air then. It won't be happening overnight as both the Civil Aviation Authority and the European Aviation Safety Agency both need to give the technology their seals of approval. It will then be up to the individual airlines to decide whether they're going to install the kit. The idea is that a base unit called Pico cells are installed in the aircraft which bounce the signal to ...

James naughtie is an idiot, part 95

Another red letter day for James Hubris Naughtie on the Today programme as he interviewed two Scottish politicians. First he lamented with Nick Robinson over the fate of any of us poor wee scunners who dinnae live in Bonnie Scotland, which was clearly meant to charm the majority of his audience. Nick Robinson carried on like a professional as Naughtie blustered mindlessly. He then asked Labour leader Wendy Alexander about the Barnett Formula and she mentioned Kenneth Calman in her response. The audience of the Today programme might reasonably be assumed to have a clue who this was but luckily ...

The Field Of The Cloth Of Gold

The President of France is visiting the Queen today. I’m watching the encounter as it happens. So far it’s just soldiers riding around on horses, blowing on trumpets and looking generally official. Unfortunately it’s dull as ditch-water. Might I suggest that when the Queen makes her reciprocal visit to France she emulates the actions of her ancestor King Henry VIII: {field_of_the_cloth_of_gold.jpg} The Kings of England and France built themselves temporary palaces complete with thousands of knights, courtiers and a schedule of entertainment of almost Olympic complexity. The highlight of this was an arm-wrestling match between Henry and Francis I, which ...

Sarkozy comes to Britain

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is in the UK today. He'll be chatting to Gordon Brown, addressing both Houses of Parliament, and most importantly of all, he'll be meeting the Queen. This is quite an important visit for the French premier. Back in the Hexagone, detractors accuse him of lacking gravitas, so this is an key opportunity for him to play the dignified statesman abroad. Of course, there's nothing more dignified than being photographed with the British Royal Family. Ever since the French guillotined their own royals, ours have held a special fascination for them. Sarko will be keen to put ...

Iain Dales Totally Neutral Politics

Those with their fingers on the pulses will know that interweb Tory and fellow Cockney Iain Dale is to launch a paper magazine. Fun fun! It is to be called Total Politics and will be, like, totally politics. One can contact them here if one wishes to contact an as yet non-existent magazine. There endeth the free publicity and here begineth the entertainment. It would seem as if the magazines apparent claim to political neutrality is causing a bit of a stir. Indeed sixteen of those lovable Labour expenses-monkeys (aka 'MPs') have signed an EDM dissin poor Iains latest project. ...

Funders Fair information

I've posted below some information about a Funders Fair which is taking place in Garston next week. Having worked in fundraising, I know just how time consuming it can be getting all the information about the various organisations and their criteria. So this is a great way of making good use of that time. Anyway.. its on 1 April and is organised by the Garston and District Community Council. Press Release GARSTON FUNDERS FAIR TO COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY GROUPS IN SOUTH LIVERPOOL Garston and District Community Council is pleased to invite you to a Funders Fair on: Tuesday 1st ...

Camera Obscura

Tonight its full Council, which takes place every couple of months and brings together all 51 Councillors from across the Borough. Tonights agenda has no motions to debate, although we are going to hear about plans for the new Council constitution in the event that the elected mayoral referendum results in a yes vote in July. Prior to the meeting is the photograph of all the Councillors, which I have developed an irritating spot in time for, right in the middle of my forehead, shining like some kind of toxic beacon. It will now live forever on the walls ...

What constitutes change

Constitutional change has in the air this week. Jack Straw's draft constitutional renewal bill has not propelled itself to the top of the news agenda - but plenty of commentators have picked up on the proposals.Peter Riddell sets out the details in The Times ("Important changes under way, but who cares") whilst making clear that he feels they are too timid to make any real waves. Plenty of other people agree and say that a bold move to electoral reform should be central to the package: see Jonathan Freedland in The Guardian ("Brown and Straw's best bet is to go ...

Somali problems

The fact that starvation in Somalia is in the news again today is shameful. But it is also an indictment of the way news is reported. Some time ago I worked for Save the Children. We helped run a computer programme which did something called Riskmapping. Basically it was a pretty sophisticated way of predicting where there would be areas of food pressure or famine. It had all sorts of data in it, including material about coping strategies in different regions etc. Because of this, and because of anecdotal reports from staff in the field, it was often possible to ...

Sarkozy is brave enough to question the olympics-why not us

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (I hate spelling that) is showing signs that France may boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, but will still oppose a full boycott. The French Government has also expressed some surprise that no government has announced a boycott yet. Sarkozy has been urging with other Western leaders for the Chinese Authorities to enter talks with the Dalai Lama. President Bush still says he will attend the opening and Gordon Brown says he will still attend the closing. I think our politicians should show there objection to the Chinese by not going. Usually I wouldn't ...

Walk and Talk Course

A new course is starting in April in the West End for all interested in finding out more about our local area - the history, the people, the environment etc. Walk and Talk is a 6 week course starting Thursday 23 April from 10am to 12 noon at Mitchell Street Centre Including health tips, visits, information, exercise and photographs, it will be a packed programme of events! Click on headline above to view further details and to find out more and book a place, contact Dorothy Potter on 435827.

Politalks 8: War, glorious war

Lee unfortunately couldn’t do the animation for this week, so you’re left with only my nasal dulcet tones and the script for this week’s Politalks (ah, just like the old days) to guide you through Iraq, Obama, the Tory surge and Parliament on Youtube Listen to this week’s Politalks: The five year anniversary of the Iraq War [...]

PR - Who has said what

Since the Government allowed the idea of constitutional and electoral reform to be floated over the weekend, there has been a lot of talk in the blogosphere on the subject. Three interesting strands have emerged: - There have been a lot of Lib Dems saying that AV is the right thing to do. Ok, many of them have said it is right only as a first step on the way to proper reform. Or, like me, have said that if Brown wants to make the change then we shouldn't oppose him, but we should still make STV a first condition ...

Cameron's questions - you bet!

Ladbrokes have opened a new market on the topic of Dave Cameron's first question at PMQs. Surely some room for insider trading For the record, although I think that he will use some of his questions on MPs expenses and the Speaker's ludicrous decision to go to the High Court to try to block publication (just how much does he have to hide), which are listed under Constitutional/Parliamentary issues at 12/1 - in from 33/1 since this morning - I don't think that will be the subject of his first question which is how the market is settled. I suspect ...

That Cuban health system

Statist socialists tell us its fantastic and a model of what we could do. This conflicts with reports from actual Cuban patients who have to go through the system. Things like providing your own bedding and even drugs. Filthy wards, old equipment and worse. I think the Cuban health system is like the Pyongyang metro (or pretty [...]

President Sarkozy Makes Sense

The Today Programmes prestigious (and often preposterous) ten past eight slot this morning was unusual in two ways: I thought the interviewee made a lot of sense; and I was agreeing with Nicolas Sarkozy. I dont know which way Id have voted in last years French Presidential run-off the Socialist seemed a fluffy but ineffectual voice for the status quo, while Monsieur Sarkozy made more economic sense but on issues like immigration was a grotesquely illiberal git. Still, at least it was a more palatable (if less easy) choice than the previous elections alternatives of the crook or the fascist. ...

Government leaving the youth on the shelf

Dropped in last night on the launch of Liberal Youth, the successor organisation to Liberal Democrat Youth and Students. Alas, the free booze had long gone when I arrived, but I was just in time to catch Nick Cleggs speech. The event was extremely well-organised, due it seems probable, largely to the hard work of Naomi Smith and Paul Pettinger. I took my flatmates with me, who though more interested in the Balkan turbofolk scene, watched the speeches in respectful silence, and seemed impressed with what Clegg had to say. The new organisation will be a bit trendier, as its ...

Iraq Five Years On - Hold your MP to account!

Its five years since the start of our involvment with the war in Iraq. Nick Harvey MP - the Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Minister marks the occasion with this video. Britain only invaded Iraq because MPs voted for it. Asked on 18th March 2003 to support Tony Blairs motion for military action against Iraq, Labour and Conservative MPs lined up to vote aye. Both the Conservative and Labour frontbenches in the House of Commons supported the war. The Conservatives even argued that the Government wasnt being tough enough. Five years on, over 170 British servicemen and women have been killed ...

Youre barred!

I’ve just heard about a campaign to bar the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, from all pubs in the UK for his tax hit on booze. I’m not sure I have a huge problem with the tax rises - there’s good evidence that there’s a strong correlation between reduced alcohol consumption and price increases and I [...]

Erased

A few days ago Labour’s Cllr. Mullen posted a petulant rant about the Salford Advertiser on the Salford Labour website. It may have made him look rather silly and it prompted some derision from opposition members, but I’m nonetheless rather surprised that he’s decided to pull the article from the site. Fortunately for the curious [...]

Conservative councillor in mandatory sterilisation uproar quits

John Ward, the Conservative councillor who talked about mandatory sterilisation for parents who have more children than he thinks they should have, has resigned as a councillor.

Day 2637: TOYCHWUD: Adrift

Good Friday (again) So Torchwood has jumped to a Friday, cunningly doubling up the episodes this week in order to finish before (one day before) the 5th of April. Still, if you can't wait that long to watch some new Doctor Who here's Daddy's review to tide you over! What I found interesting was the way that "Adrift" touched on so many similar plot points to "From Out of the Rain" the supernatural force that takes people away; the secrets from Jack's past; the following of the investigation and yet seems to have so much more take place over the ...

Liberal Youth launch

Last night was the launch of the new Liberal Youth or (LY) as it will soon be known amongst opposition parties, at trendy urban venue, 93 Feet East, Brick Lane. Having been national Secretary of predecessor organisation Liberal Democrat Youth in 1992, (which then became Liberal Democrat Youth and Students), this was a touching event for an old man like myself to be invited to attend, or rather hide in the corner not understanding the music or language (thank-you 'blood' I am 'safe', kind of you to ask) until a couple of other ancient stragglers turned up as well... you ...

Opinion: I wonder why Labour is warming to electoral reform

So Labour will be holding a consultation process on the benefits of a secondary vote, compulsory voting and voting at the weekends then Well, I think I can guess what this exercise will say: “It’s a wonderful idea, I’m suprised we didn’t think of it before!” To which I would answer: “Because First Past the Post gave [...]

Under sniper fire

Today's Guardian reports that Hillary Clinton has had to admit that she exaggerated her claim of coming under sniper fire during a visit to Bosnia in the 1990s, after video footage showed the then first lady walking calmly from her plane. The row centres on remarks she made during a campaign stop in Washington DC last week. Keen to talk up her experience, she spoke vividly of what seemed a harrowing and dangerous trip she made in March 1996 to Tuzla airport in Bosnia. "I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ...

Gordon Brown: Freedom of Information and £100k

So after a Freedom of Information ruling to release 14 MPs and ex-MPs recent expense claims. We are now being told that a £100,000 court action has been raised to stop this disclosure. My next step was to look up the voting record of the most senior today of those 14, Gordon Brown on public whip. Guess what there is no vote recorded next to the then chancellor on this legislation. Although as it

Texts and twitters

10:35 waking up, and wishing we'd bought decent coffee yesterday. #Microblogging by SMS, it's all the rage donchaknow. Using LoudTwitter and Twitter.

Budget Discrimination Against Bikers

As flagged up by {[info]} uk_bikers, the "green" motor breakdown and insurance company Environmental Transport Association is claiming that the new VED scheme that starts in 2009 won't apply to bikes:Under new emissions-based rates of road tax announced last week in the Budget, vehicles that produce less than 100g of CO2 per/km will pay nothing unless they are motorcycles. Despite emitting less than 100g per/km, many motorcycles will next year pay double according to the Environmental Transport Association. The new rates discriminate against motorcycles despite the fact that CO2 emissions for motorcycles of all types are already below the average ...

Wednesday 26th March 2008

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